Elvia Lancaster Thompson

THOMPSON, ELVIA L. (AGE 102) OF BRYANS ROAD, MARYLAND

Elvia Lancaster Thompson was born on April 11, 1923, in Charles County, Maryland. She was the eleventh child of the late James William and Rose Ella Lancaster. Often referring to herself as 7/11 – the 7th girl and 11th child out of 13. On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Elvia Thompson transitioned to eternal life while at her residence. 

Elvia attended Bel Alton Elementary School and Pomonkey High School in Southern Maryland. After graduating, she journeyed to Washington, D.C., where she attended classes at the Old Freedmans Hospital and worked there for a number of years as a Nurses’ Aide. Later, Elvia married Richard E. Thompson. From that union four children were born – Rachel, Onnetta, Richard (Tony), and Andre. She lived in Bryans Road, MD, for many years where she raised her children and attended St. Mary’s Star of The Sea Catholic Church in Indian Head, MD. In 1957, Elvia moved back to Washington, D.C., and began her career at Fort Myer Officers’ Club, in Virginia, where she greeted various high-ranking government officials, including former President Richard Nixon, Henry Kissinger (56th U.S. Secretary of State), General Colon Powell (former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), General Omar Bradley (former 1st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), General Maxwell Taylor (former 5th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff appointed by former President John F. Kennedy), to name a few; and other notable personalities such as Walter Annenberg (former Ambassador of the United Kingdom); Wernher von Braun (German-American aerospace engineer and contributor to rocket and space technology in the U.S.), George Stephanopoulos (at that time a young staffer on Capitol Hill, currently a prominent news anchor and political commentator), Jimmy Stewart (actor and decorated military aviator), Walter Brennan (actor and singer); and the list continues. There she met her long-time companion, Roy Hawkins (whom she affectionately called “Hawkins”). Elvia worked at Fort Myer Officers’ Club for 29½ years until she retired.

After moving to Arlington, VA, to be closer to her job, every Thursday, on her day off, Elvia would cook dinner for her immediate family, preparing everybody’s favorite dish. She and Hawkins would grow a garden each year on her property in Bryans Road, MD. On Mondays (her other day off), she would entertain people in her yard. They titled the day “Blue Monday.” As a helpful neighbor in Accokeek, MD, she would feed the chickens and gather the eggs for her neighbors across the street when they were out of town. Elvia had energy that never quit!

Following retirement, Elvia returned to the P.G. and Charles County area where she owned homes and devoted many years to volunteer work at the CCNRC Family of Care Nursing & Adult Day Centers (now known as Sage Point Senior Living Services) in LaPlata, MD, and the Fort Washington Health Center in Fort Washington, MD. She attended the Christ Episcopal Church in Clinton, MD, where she was an active and supportive member of the Evangelism and Pastoral Care Givers Standing Committee and the Adult Choir. Elvia gave generously of her time, talent, and treasures, and enjoyed taking care of the sick and disabled.

Additionally, Elvia dedicated many hours working with the Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Indian Head, MD. She became one of the Metropolitan Community players where she performed in “The Old Main Convention” and the “Slab Town Convention.” She participated in community services and physical fitness activities such as clogging and line dancing. She performed at the Richard R. Clark Center, Indian Head Center, Nanjamoy Center, the Greater Waldorf Jaycees Community Center, and many others throughout her adult life. A performer from her childhood years in school, this was a true joy for Elvia. Her love for clogging and line dancing led her all the way to Knoxville, Tennessee, where she performed for two years on the great TV show called “Club Dance.” Elvia loved every bit of the entertainment, which was truly a big moment in her life. She also was a member of the Prime Timers where she performed in plays at the local centers. She loved making people laugh, and she was always happy. She even enjoyed a ride on Mt. Rainier’s Fire Engine during the Christmas season while Santa visited the neighborhoods.

Elvia later became a member of St. Columba Catholic Church in Oxon Hill, MD, until her health declined. She was the last living of her 13 siblings, and an amazing and thoughtful woman. She pre-planned and paid for her services so her children would not have to in their time of grief.

At 100 years old, Elvia continued to entertain, singing and reciting poetry, at Arbor Terrace Senior Living, in Greenbelt, MD. She was able to recite her ABCs backwards even at 102 years of age. When she was no longer able to physically visit the facility, she continued to entertain those she called “the old folks” on Zoom from her bed until October 2025.

Elvia was preceded in death by her husband, Richard E. Thompson, daughter Rachel Thompson, son Richard (Tony) Thompson; brothers, Charles, James, John, and Spencer; sisters, Loretta, Rosa, Ollie, Elizabeth, Ruth, Sarah, Lenora, Bernadette, and Rita (sister niece); and her very devoted companion, Hawkins.

Elvia leaves to cherish her memories a large loving and supportive family – daughter Onnetta Benoit (favorite son-in-law, Tim) and son Andre Thompson (devoted daughter-in-law, Kem); six granddaughters: Phyllis Byars (Bob), Traci Tyer (James), Tina Benoit-Douglas (Alonzo), Donna Selby (David), Opal Benoit (companion, AJ), and Taziah Russell; nine great grandchildren: Sarah Douglas, Grace Cooper (Jerrod), Maria Simmons, Dayna Veil (Simon), Danielle Calhoun, Tiara Tyer, Trent Tyer, Taquan Jones, and Taliyah Bah; five great-great grandchildren: Juelz, Galaxy, Ava, Jymmie-Lynn, and Authur; two adopted daughters Betty Bailey and Kim Reid; five godchildren; generations of devoted nieces and nephews; and many, many other relatives and friends.

Her viewing will be held from 5pm until 8pm, with prayers and tributes starting at 6:30pm on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the next morning, 11:00am, Thursday, February 12, 2026 at St. Columba Catholic Church, 7800 Livingston Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, 8000 Woodyard Road, Clinton, MD 20735.